Chapter 20: Dave Learns the Hard Way

"Damn girl, it's about time you answered me." Dave said, relieved to see Charisma and pulling her close to him. "Baby, you had me worried sick about you. I've called and called until I'm blue in the face. I went by your office yesterday and Cynthia said that you had taken off early. She didn't even know what was wrong with you. I've left you text and voice messages. And when you didn't answer them, I came over here to see you."

Charisma, not returning the embrace, wriggled out of Dave's arms and stepped back away from him.

Dave, still happy and relieved to see her, continued smiling beautifully at her. "Well, aren't you happy to see me?"

Hell the fuck no. "Why should I be?"

Her response to him was not what he was expecting. Dave shot her a confused look. "What do you mean baby?" Dave started walking towards her. "Come here and give me a kiss."

With that, and all the strength that she had left in her, she raised her hand, rode back and placed a solid and hard slap across Dave's face. "Kiss that, motherfucker!"

Shockwaves ran throughout Dave's body as Charisma stood in front of him. While rubbing the exterior of his now beet-red face and remaining calm, he looked at her. "Why'd you do that?"

Charisma remained unyielding and steadfast. "Get the fuck out of my house, now!"

Still not understanding what made her come at him like this, Dave kept his cool and began trying to get to the root of it. "Are you finished with your tantrum long enough to tell me what the hell is wrong with you?"

"You are what the hell's wrong with me!" Charisma cried. "YOU!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I just have one question." Charisma started. "How could you, knowing that after I told you I loved you, tell me an utter and boldface fucking lie?"

"Lie?"

Charisma shot back and yelled. "Yeah, lie, something you insensitive assholes seem to know how to do all too well!"

Still remaining calm, Dave spoke. "Charisma, baby, please stop yelling at me and tell me what you mean?"

"You know, you said that loved me and you wanted nothing more than me, but yet I still wasn't enough for you." Charisma stated.

"What are you talking about, Charisma?!" Dave started. "What do you mean...you aren't enough for me, you are all the woman I've ever wanted."

With the tears streaming down her face, Charisma turned away from him. "How could you do this to me, David?!"

Dave's cool and calm expression was being slowly replaced by hurt and confusion. Before his very eyes, his world was coming apart. And he still had no clue as to why. He walked over to Charisma and placed his massive arms around her slender frame. She once again ripped out of his arms. Just the same way he felt his heart being ripped apart. What, on God's green Earth could had happened in the past two days that totally changed her? Not only a few days ago, she was in his arms and telling him that she loved him. What happened to the woman that he fell in love with? What ever it was he knew he had to get to the bottom of it.

Wanting to do nothing but hold her, Dave again wrapped Charisma in his arms. This time she allowed Dave to hold her and place a few delicate kisses on the crown of her head. "Whatever it is, baby, I'm sorry. I promise I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you, I promise."

It's too late for that. Charisma tightly shut her eyes, sniffled, and swallowed the lump in her throat. "Get out, Dave. Get out right now!"

Dave, still not fully understanding her reasons behind all of this, turned her around to face him. "Charisma, open your eyes and look at me."

With her eyes still solidly shut, and tears rolling down her face, she responded. "Please, just go away."

"Not until you tell me why you are acting this way?"

"It's not an act, Dave. You caused this."

"What did I cause?"

Shaking her head, she began slowly wiping away the tears. "Just tell me why."

"Why what?"

Charisma opened her eyes and looked Dave in the eye. "Why you lied to me about still being married?"

Dave's face went from concern to utter shock. "Married?"

"Yes, married, and don't act like you didn't know."

"Charisma, I'm not married anymore, I told you that."

"Oh yeah, that is not what I was told."

"Well whoever told you, lied to you. I love you and you should know that, and for you to think that I would intentionally lie to you about something like this is bullshit!"

Dave was about to walk out the door when Charisma stopped him. "You wanna know who told me?"

Dave turned around and faced her. "You're damn right I wanna know."

Charisma locked her eyes dead on Dave. "Sharon, your wife."